Exercise Apparatus, Methods of Using, and Method of Manufacture

ABSTRACT

A resistance-type exerciser has pivotally interconnected arms with a more closely spaced pair of handle forming ends and a less closely spaced pair of handle forming ends. An elastomeric band is replaceably fitted to the arms through an integral slot to urge the less closely spaced pair of ends apart. The elastomeric band can easily be replaced or additional bands added to increase the device resistance so as to vary the weight bearing equivalent load of the exercise device. A pin means pivotally interconnects the two limbs of the device forming a device that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the device and in such a fashion as to allow for either a push or pull motion. The exerciser is used by pushing the less closely spaced ends toward one another against the resistive pressure of the resistance band or by pulling the more closely spaced ends apart. A plurality of exercises results from applying the above described motions of the invention to various muscle groups within the body.

DATA SOURCES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/457,637, filed Apr. 14, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the use of exercise equipment and, more particularly, to the use of lightweight portable exercise devices, which provide numerous versatile exercises that target a multiplicity of muscle groups within the body.

BACKGROUND ART

The present invention is in the technical field of exercise. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of lightweight, portable exercise devices.

Conventional exercise devices, such as weights including those of the type of bar bells and dumb bells, stationary exercise machines of either weight bearing or other forms of mechanical or other resistance in nature and the like, are typically either immovable or exceedingly difficult to transport. It is difficult to use these devices in a house, office, or facility outside of a traditional gym because they are large and heavy. Moving such devices typically requires several strong persons, or a sturdy wheeled vehicle such as a reinforced wagon or handcart. The difficulties of bringing such a device into a house or office are multiplied when stairs must be climbed. Further, it is not an uncommon desire to afford such exercise devices as portable rendering them capable of transport on a trip or excursion. Devices as those described, which are heavy and bulky in nature, do not lend themselves to the concept of portability and transport for a journey or use outside of the gym.

Further, exercise devices as heretofore described are most often developed to train specific muscle groups requiring a multiplicity of devices to exercise the entire muscular system of the human body. Such devices are dedicated in task to exercising limited muscle groups requiring unique devices to be maintained for the purpose of providing whole body workout routines. Such equipment is not only numerous due to exercise specificity; but, by nature it is bulky and requires significant space for setup and use, rendering them inappropriate to compact, portable use.

It is in the simplicity of this invention that makes it novel. It is lightweight, portable and versatile in its application rendering it ideal for transport and use both in the home, on trips, and at other locations outside of the traditional gym. The uniqueness of the device also renders the need for heavy, dedicated workout devices unnecessary, eliminating the need for multiple, complex workout equipment in the exercise of the whole body including multiple muscle groups.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is an exercise device for users that is compact, lightweight and portable. Current devices are either too complicated to manufacture, too limited in the number and quality of exercises that can be performed with them, or both. This device has been designed to be very simple and cost-effective to manufacture, to be extremely portable and usable by the widest variety of people, from senior citizens to body builders and athletes. This invention allows a person to perform numerous exercises with varying degrees of resistance, is fully self-contained, and extremely lightweight and portable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view of an exercise device of the present invention detailing the pivotal joining mechanism;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 is shown an exercise device 10 comprised of two arms 11 and 12 secured in the center through a slot FIG. 3-36 by pin halves 33 and 34 allowing arms 11 and 12 to pivot about this connection point 13 and in the plane of the two arms. A resistance band 14 of a type of an elastomeric or other resistive material is replaceably fitted into the slots 17 a and 17 b in the arms causing the shorter ends of the arms 16 a and 16 b to be drawn toward one another.

In more detail, and now referring to the invention of FIG. 2, the exerciser 20 as shown includes two arms 21 and 22 each having a shorter end 26 a and 26 b and a longer end 28 a and 28 b. Notably, the shorter ends of the arms 26 a and 26 b are fitted with padded material 29 a and 29 b to provide comfortable grips and to add a friction surface to the device. In a similar manner, the longer ends of the arms, 25 a and 25 b, are also equipped with similar padding 28 a and 28 b for the same purpose of providing comfort and a friction like surface.

In further detail, the arms 11 and 12, having been joined through the central slot 36 with pin halves 33 and 34, can now pivot about this joint 13 freely. A replaceable band of elastic material 14 is fitted in slots 17 a and 17 b in such a fashion as to cause the band 14 to be placed in tension. The tension in band 14 causes the ends of arms 11 and 12 namely 16 a and 16 b to be drawn toward one another. The tension in band 14, or a plethora of such bands similarly configured, provides the resistance against which exercise is performed. Tension and thus the resistance against which exercise is performed can be controlled by adding multiple bands 14 or by adding bands of varying tension, weight, and alternate materials allowing the device to be used for a variety of exercises and with any number of resistance factors.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 3 depict arms 31 and 32 joined by pin halves 33 and 34 through slot 36. This connection forms a frictionless joint about which arms 31 and 32 pivot. The device provides lateral movement about this pivot point of the joint providing both push and pull resistance exercises. When the exercise device is equipped with a resistance band as described, exercises requiring a pulling or compressing movement can be accomplished using the longer ends of the arms FIGS. 1-15 a and 15 b while exercises requiring an extension or pushing motion can be accomplished using the shorter ends of the arms FIGS. 1-16 a and 16 b.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A resistance-type exerciser comprising pivotally interconnected arms having a pair of more closely spaced handle forming ends and a pair of less closely spaced handle forming ends mated in the center by the means of a pin mechanism providing a pivotal interconnection between the limbs.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the arms are held in tension by means of one or more replaceable elastic band of material causing the device to maintain a closed condition with the shorter arms forced together and the longer arms forced apart as its normal resting state.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the arms are held in tension by means of a replaceable elastic band of material causing the device to maintain a closed condition with the longer arms forced together and the shorter arms forced apart as its normal resting state.
 4. A method(s) of using a compact portable exercise device, the invention of claims 1, 2, and 3, comprising the steps of: a. providing first and second gripping arms pined with a frictionless connection about an axis so as to facilitate lateral motion, each arm having padded surfaces, and capable of being compressed or moved toward one another in an inward lateral motion; b. providing a replaceably fitted elastomeric band of resistance attached to the device through slots in the limbs, hooks, or other means of attaching such resistance band to the exercise device; c. holding the right and left gripping arms of that end of the portable exercise device that can be laterally compressed inward, respectively holding the compact portable exerciser with outstretched arms, and respectively pressing the hands of the left and right arms together against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band, the padded arms preventing slipping and providing comfort. The method of this exercise substantially stressing the pectoral muscles.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user pointing his or her outstretched arms vertically in an overhead direction pressing the hands inward. The method of this exercise substantially stressing the deltoids.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user pointing his or her outstretched arms in front with the portable exercise device held out horizontally, parallel to the floor in front of the user pressing the hands inward. The method of this exercise substantially stressing the pectoral muscles and rotator cuff.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user pointing the device vertically over his or her head above the user pressing the hands inward. The method of this exercise substantially stressing the rotator cuff.
 8. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user pointing the device downward toward the floor pressing the hands inward. The method of this exercise substantially stressing the lower pectoral muscles.
 9. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user gripping the portable exercise device and holding it behind his or her head pressing the hands inward. The method of this exercise substantially stressing the rhomboid, trapezius, and deltoid muscles.
 10. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user gripping the portable exercise device and holding it in a manner either in front of, above, or behind the torso or head of the body and pressing the hands inward. The method of this exercise having the ability to stress a plethora of muscles not specifically contemplated here however, which should be obvious to someone skilled in fitness.
 11. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user gripping the portable exercise device and holding it in a manner perpendicular to the body in such a fashion as to allow the user to pull one of the longer arms toward the body with the second arm of the device having been braced against the body. The method of this exercise having the ability to stress the biceps.
 12. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user gripping the portable exercise device and holding it in a manner with the device lateral to one side of his or her body with the second device arm having been braced against the body in such a manner as to allow one of the longer arms to be pulled toward the body in a lateral motion, the user pulling the longer arm inward toward the body and second exercise device arm. The method of this exercise having the ability to stress the deltoids.
 13. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user holding the right and left gripping arms of that end of the portable exercise device that can be laterally expanded outward, respectively holding the compact portable exerciser with outstretched arms, and respectively pulling the hands of the left and right arms apart against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band, the padded arms preventing slipping and providing comfort. The method of this exercise having the ability to substantially stress the triceps.
 14. The method of claim 13 that includes the user gripping the portable exercise device and holding it in a manner either in front of, above, or behind the torso or head of the body and pulling the arms of the portable exercise device apart. The method of this exercise having the ability to stress a plethora of muscles not specifically contemplated here however, which should be obvious to someone skilled in fitness.
 15. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user in a sitting position and placing the portable exercise device on the lap with one of the longer arms pointing laterally outward toward the side of the body, respectively holding the toner with the opposite arm, and respectively bending at the torso in the direction of the toner arm thereby compressing the left and right arms together against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band, the padded arms preventing slipping and providing comfort. The method of this exercise having the ability to substantially stress the abdominal muscles.
 16. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user in a seated position and placing the right and left gripping arms of that end of the portable exercise device that can be laterally compressed inward between the left and right thighs, respectively holding the compact portable exerciser with outstretched arms for stability, and respectively compressing the left and right legs inward together against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band, the padded arms preventing slipping and providing comfort. The method of this exercise having the ability to substantially stress the inner thigh muscles.
 17. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes holding the right and left gripping arms of that end of the portable exercise device that can be laterally compressed inward, and respectively placing the opposite ends of the left and right gripping arms firmly against the outside of the thighs, and respectively pressing the thighs of the left and right arms of the portable exercise device outward against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band, the padded arms preventing slipping and providing comfort. The method of this exercise having the ability to substantially stress the outer thigh muscles.
 18. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the user in a sitting position and placing the portable exercise device on the lap with one of the longer arms pointing laterally outward toward the side of the body, respectively holding the toner with the opposite arm, includes holding the right and left gripping arms of that end of the portable exercise device that can be laterally compressed outward, respectively rotating one and only one of users arms outward such that the rotator cuff muscles are stressed against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band, the padded arms preventing slipping and providing comfort. The method of this exercise having the ability to substantially stress the rotator cuff. 